I recently inherited an elderly ferret

[cat_hair]

I'm pretty sure he's at least 4 - maybe 5 years old. I don't know much about them. What sort of food should I give him? I've just been feeding him cat food like the person I got him from was doing. I've got his cage, a bottle of ferretone, and a tube of ferretvite. Anything special I should be doing, since he's so old.

[ehrnst]

1. Here's a link

http://www.ferret-fact.org/Aging.htm

[CC]

2. First, congrats on entering

the world of being ferret own. Now you get to learn what unlimited love and laughter in a small package is and you get to learn lots.
First suggestion, find a ferret qualified vet. (Look for a ferret rescue in your area and ask them if they know of one. They will also give you information about ferrets.) and get him (or her) in for a check up. The cat food was very bad for him and he needs to be looked at. He needs a high quality ferret food. My vet recommends Zupreme. Even if you go with another one make sure it is at least 35 percent protein.
Second, ferrets are not cage happy pets. Yes they need a cage for their safety when not attended but they need lots of time out of the cage and lots of play time with you. Minimum of 4 hours a day.
Ferrets are very smart and can get into very small places. You will want to ferret proof any where he might get. And he will get places you don't plan on letting him get to.
Ferrets for Dummies is a must read for anyone ferret owned. (It should be required reading in all pets stores too.)
Some good sites for ferret info.
http://www.everythingferret.com/index.htm
http://www.ferretcentral.org/
http://www.weaselwords.com/
http://www.ferretstoreinteractive.com/basic-ferret-care-articles.html
As I am owned by nine ferrets now and had 11 I will give you this piece of advice. Try to start a ferret medical bill account. Try putting $10.00 a week a side towards future medical bills. If you never have to use it you have money set aside for you but should you ever need it you will be glad you set it a side. Ferrets are prone to a few diseases and treatment can add up quickly. But there is treatment available that can extend their life and improve the quality of life for your furbaby. I had a 5 year rescue that needed emergency surgery in Jan. with follow up treatment. He is doing great now but by the time he was healthy again I spent close to a thousand dollars. I also lost my first ferret to cancer in June. The vet and I fought for his life for 3 months. I do not want to figure out how much that cost. But I would spend it again regardless. The ferret medical fund was a blessing. (A friend told me about it.)
I hope this doesn't scare you off from being ferret owned as ferrets more than make up for any expense, fear and even heart ache when they pass on. Feel free to pm me should you have any questions. Oh and beware of ferret math.

[cat_hair]

3. Any hints about

Training them to use the litterpan? The person I got him from never did teach him.

I put one in his cage and he plays with it. I tried tying it to the side of the cage and he scratched all the litter out of it. I thought he was going to hurt himself the way he kept flipping around trying to get that pan to move.

Thanks for the links, I'll definately check them out.

[CC]

4. On the litter

training, you might have to be happy with an 80 percent success rate. Specially since he is older and was never taught.
Put the litter pan in a corner he uses now and use something like Yesterday's News. You will need to put some of his poop in it at first so he knows it is the bathroom and not the playroom. No clay based litter. You can also use newspaper though that needs changed often instead of scooped daily.
For more here is a good source on litter training
http://www.ferretstoreinteractive.com/basic-ferret-care-articles.html
and a short one here
http://www.ferretguy.com/FuzzyArticle17.html

It sounds like the little guy is very lucky to get a new home. Please post a picture of him if you get a chance. I would love to see him.

[cat_hair]

5. I'm afraid that...

I don't have a camera.

But he is very cute and he's still pretty active, I get him out in the evenings when I get home from work and let him run around the front 2 rooms of my house. He loves my dog - it's so funny because he'll run up and grab onto her tail, or her back leg and the dog just looks at me like "what is this thing doing?" Until she's had enough, then she'll jump on the couch to get away from him. She's very gentile and wouldn't bite him, but she's kind of a big dog so I have to watch and make sure she doesn't step on him. And he's bad about running off with the dog toys.

The people who had him before let him play with their cat, but unfortunately mine don't want anything to do with him. It's kind of funny in a way, cause he'll chase them all over the living room until they either jump on the couch or I can let them out into the back part of the house.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a try.

[CC]

6. She sounds like a cutie

and is definitely all ferret. They have no fear. Sorry you don't have a camera would love to see her. Unfortunately I don't trust my ferrets around my dogs. They would have to bite the dogs feet and well th he dogs night step on them then. My cats tolerate the ferrets as long as they can hide their paws under them. I have one ferret that loves to bite cat paws. Once it is bedtime though they all have their place on the bed to snooze. Usually the cats on top of the blankets, the ferret under the blanket circling the cats. Sounds like she landed in a good home full of love and that is the best thing that could happen to her.

[scarlet_owl]

7. I feed my six ferrets Zupreem and they love it!

It's a little pricey, but it's much better than cat food. Make sure you take the little stinker to the vet as soon as possible. He needs to be checked for signs of adrenal disease. Congratulations on your new addition!